Plaid Cymru urges Minister to listen to cancer plan concerns
27/02/2012
Government Strategy must treat the person as well as the disease
Plaid Cymru Health spokesperson, Elin Jones AM has today urged the Health Minister not to waste the opportunity to introduce an effective National Cancer Plan. The Labour Welsh government is currently consulting on its proposals for a National Cancer Plan, but Plaid’s Elin Jones AM has said that concerns have been raised with her about the government’s proposals as they stand. Ms Jones said that the Health Minister has a responsibility and a duty to bring forward a cancer plan that delivers what cancer sufferers and survivors really need. She warned the government against seeing this merely as a ‘tick box’ exercise.
Elin Jones, who represents Ceredigion for Plaid Cymru, argued that the government’s final plan must lead to a shift in focus from treating the disease to treating the patient. She said that the Labour Minister must not miss this opportunity to address the need for a new and radical plan for cancer services in Wales with the focus on improving patient care. She added that Plaid Cymru wants to see a collaborative approach in developing the plan, bringing together a panel of experts from across the NHS and the voluntary sector as well as people affected by cancer themselves under the leadership of a Director of cancer services, to develop the strategy and monitor its implementation.
Plaid Cymru Health spokesperson Elin Jones AM said:
"There is no denying that change is needed to the way that cancer services are delivered in Wales. The Minister has acknowledged this herself. What is needed is a cancer strategy that focuses on the need to treat the cancer patient rather than just the disease and looks at how different bodies can work together in the interests of the patient. The Minister now has a responsibility and a duty to bring forward a cancer plan that delivers what cancer sufferers and survivors really need. This must not merely be a tick box exercise for the government.
"It is vital that the Health Minister does not waste this opportunity to introduce a National Cancer Plan that can make a real difference to the lives of cancer sufferers and survivors. I urge the Minister to listen to cancer charities and voluntary organisations and act upon their concerns. With the number of people suffering with cancer expected to rise over the coming years and so it is even more important that our cancer services in Wales are able to meet the challenges they face."
Elin Jones AM went on to explain the kind of National Cancer Plan that Plaid Cymru wants to see introduced in Wales:
"Plaid Cymru wants to see the government adopting a collaborative approach in order to design and deliver world class cancer services here in Wales. The aim should be to reduce cancer rates, to improve survival and to ensure that people are able to lead healthy productive lives beyond the diagnosis of cancer and are supported in their choices. It is also essential that the changing nature of cancer is recognised. As treatment improves, more and more and more people are surviving the disease. Once treatment has come to an end, the patient should not be left in the wilderness. Support and advice for living with or after cancer are essential for the patient’s long-term well being. An important part of the plan should be that patients are made aware of what they are entitled to in terms of benefits and services. We also need to help people to take control of their own health. This means not just focusing on hospitals, but also helping patients to stay out of hospital by supporting them to become more knowledgeable, engaged and proactive in relation to their own health and wellbeing."